Meet the Young Dentists Committee

Following the BDA elections last year, the new elected group of our Young Dentist Committee members will take up post at their first meeting on 22 February 2018. Here's a little bit about them:

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Sahar Aghababaie

Sahar is an associate GDP in a mixed practice in North London and also works in a hospital post in central London. Since qualifying, she has played an active role in supporting dentists as Secretary of her local BDA section. Sahar also kindly gave up her time to star in our 'We are dentistry' video last year, helping us to promote the many different roles dentist do, and presenting a positive face of the profession. Sahar wants the YDC to highlight the experiences of younger dentists and improve their working lives. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the ballet and travelling.

Hamzah Ahmed

Hamzah splits his time working as a hospital dentist in Dundee and as an associate in general practice in Glasgow. He has previously worked as a dental core trainee in both England and Scotland. His interest in dental politics was spurred by the hospital junior doctors' contract dispute with the Government in 2015, and he is involved with the local BDA Dundee and Perth Section. In joining the YDC, he hopes to represent the voice of young dentists and ensure issues facing them, such as increasing stress, falling incomes and onerous bureaucracy, are tackled. He is an avid foodie and in his spare time, he enjoys travelling and watching rugby.

Rajdeep Singh Banga

Raj is a foundation dentist at a large mixed practice in Derbyshire. He has been active in dental politics since dental school and is active in supporting his local community, as well as doing voluntary work overseas. Through the YDC, Raj hopes to support young dentists through the early stages of their careers through a variety of innovative ways, as well as helping to improve standards and career prospects. Outside of work, he enjoys to go to the gym, play various sports, reading and helping his community wherever possible.

Jeremy Boyles

Jeremy is a foundation dentist at a mixed practice in North Yorkshire and would like to specialise in restorative dentistry in the future. Jeremy is keen to get involved in helping to shape the future of the profession and speak up for his peers. He has led on a study on how student debt is affecting dental students and dentists' stress levels, which he presented at the International Association of Dental Research annual conference in San Francisco and published in the BDJ. Jeremy is keen to ensure younger dentists are supported at this crucial stage in their careers. In his spare time, he likes playing the drums, badminton, cricket and DIY.

Vinay Chavda

Vinay is a second-year dental core trainee in Birmingham. He has previously been involved on the BDA's Student Committee and former Treasurer of the BDSA. He is keen to ensure the BDA's membership offer is attractive to young dentists, and that it acts as a support network for young dentists locally. In his spare time, he likes trying new restaurants and describes himself as a 'foodie,' as well as meeting up with friends for a good social occasion.

Alice Duke

Alice is currently undertaking her dental foundation training in Sussex. She has published articles on aspects of digital dentistry and cosmetic smile design in BDJ Student and BDJ in Practice. She believes postgraduate learning is vital for keeping up to date in dentistry, especially with the advance of new digital technologies. She wants younger dentists to be better represented in the profession, and wants to mobilise dentists locally, as well as nationally. In her spare time, she enjoys running, tennis and keeping up to date with the BDJ!

Lauren Harrhy

Lauren qualified in Cardiff and has always practiced dentistry in her native Wales and she now is the proud owner of a mixed practice in Pontypool. She is committed to improving dentistry in Wales and wants to motivate younger members of the profession to ensure standards are high and careers are satisfying. She set up a Facebook Group in 2017, 'Mental Dental – a group for dentists in crisis', in response to hearing the stresses and frustrations amongst dentists. The group provides a space for dentists to talk about issues they are facing (anonymously), share experiences, and provide support and encouragement from peers. She is a mum of three children under six and what little spare time she has she enjoys, walking, cooking, and singing.

Amaar Hassan

Amaar has previously worked as a general dentist and as a maxfax dental core trainee, and is currently a community dental officer in Liverpool. He recently passed his PGcert in Clinical Education. Amaar has been interested in dental politics since dental school and in 2015, he spoke up on the consequences of the proposed pay cut for foundation dentists, which Government later backed down on. He is a former treasurer of the Liverpool University Dental Students Society. In his spare time, he likes good food and music, enjoying tasting foods from different cultures and regularly venturing out to watch live bands at gigs.

Hannan Imran

Hannan is currently a prosthodontic, oral surgery and general practice dental core trainee in Berkshire. He is passionate about furthering his education and knowledge, and in sharing his learning with others. He has passed the MFDS and was honoured to reach the final of the Dentistry Awards 2017, in the 'Best Young Dentist' category. He has recently completed a Certificate in Advanced Dental Leadership. During his foundation training, he was elected Foundation Trainee Representative for the Thames-Valley and Wessex Deanery. He is an active member of the BDA South West Young Dentist Group and the co-founder of the new South Mercia YDG. From his interest in sharing his knowledge, he has written several blogs for the BDA's website, to help support those starting out in foundation training. In his spare time, he likes to play cricket and very much into photography.

Mohammed Jaffer Ismail

Mohammed Jaffer is a foundation dentist in North London. He plans to remain working in primary dental care and wants to represent his fellow young dentists, to ensure the dental contract is fit for purpose and provides career progression for dentists. He has an interest in dental public health, and was awarded the Biological Sciences Prize and Dental Public Health Award from the University of Birmingham. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys swimming, traveling and reading.

Ravinder Jhutie

Ravinder is a foundation dentist in Torquay. A graduate from the University of Birmingham, he won their Student Cup in his last year, voted for by fellow students. He is passionate about furthering his skills and experience, and has volunteered treating homeless patients in Birmingham. He feels strongly about the increasing pressures on dentists and stood for the YDC to help support younger professionals and enable positive change for the future. In his spare time, he enjoys Brazilian jiu-jitsu, reading as well as travelling.

Jay Joshi

Jay works as the principal dentist in a mixed practice in Buckinghamshire, and teaches restorative dentistry at King's College London one day a week. He has a special interest in Aesthetic and Implant dentistry and has completed postgraduate training with the Eastman Dental Institute. His frustrations with the increasing pressures of bureaucracy and dental regulation led him to get involved in dental politics and stand up to make a difference. He is a member of the Local Dental Committee for Milton Keynes. In his spare time Jay enjoys playing football and following his favourite team, he is avid film lover and tries to get to the cinema as often as he can.

Neal McCormick

Neal is an associate dentist in a mixed practice in the North East of England. He also takes on the role of educational supervisor for foundation dentists. Since Graduating, Neal has maintained a desire to expand his knowledge and skills through postgraduate study. In 2013, he passed his MFDS examinations at the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow. An interest in academic dentistry also led Neal to publish several articles in leading peer reviewed dental journals. He previously has done roles as a Senior House Officer in oral and maxfax surgery. Neal sat on the 2015-17 YDC, and also on the BDA Pensions Committee, and he has worked to drive the agenda of younger dentists in the national arena. He also Chairs the BDA Young Dentists Group in the North East. Outside of dentistry, Neal enjoys playing golf and tennis at local clubs and is an avid rugby union fan.

Ahmad Nounu

Ahmad is a Prosthodontist who has travelled the world to perfect his restorative and orthodontic skills from the experts directly, and now dedicates a lot of his time to teaching and treating more complex cases and changing lives. He is the Practice Principal and Director of Black Swan Dental Spa, a private practice in Somerset, with a large team covering the main specialties of dentistry. Having initially helped with many national campaigns he was the main driving force behind launching the Young Dentist Group in the South West, and he has made it his personal mission to help nurture and guide younger dentists, with Black Swan itself also helping mentor young dentists, and help ensure we have a great and safe profession to work in. His previous roles with the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry on a national level, as well as many large charity organisations in the past, have given him some excellent experience. In what ilttle spare time he has, he enjoys spending time with his children, keeping fit and squeezing in a dinner or two, when the children allow it!

Ronan O'Flynn

Ronan is a community dentist, working in Manchester. He is a returning YDC member, serving during 2015-17 and a member of to the editorial committee of the Young Dentist enewsletter. He also served as the YDC representation on the BDA's Education, Ethics and the Dental Team Working Group. He is passionate about community dentistry and keen to ensure all those working in the community dental service have a voice in the BDA's direction and governance. In his spare time he enjoys catching up with family and friends and relaxing by listening to and playing music.

Nikki Patel

Nikki is Head of Evaluation of Digital Programmes, Digital Development & Delivery at NHS England. Alongside, she is a practising dentist and has previously worked as a general dentist and in both hospital and community settings. Nikki is a returning YDC member, serving during the 2015-17 term, and has recently helped advise the BDA's policy team on developments in digital dentistry. She is involved with the British Dental Editors and Writers Forum, and has written articles for dental publications on Generation Y and dentistry, portfolio careers and changes in the profession, as well as completing a Fellowship in Clinical Leadership. She is passionate about improving the working lives of younger dentists and the environment they are working in. In her spare time, she enjoys running and mountain climbing.

Charles Pidgeon

Charles qualified in 2014 from King's College London Dental Institute and currently works full-time as an associate dentist in mixed NHS and private practice in Exeter. He has always had a keen interest in dental politics, and during my time at dental school, he was on the Dental Society Committee for four years, serving as the President for one year. He currently sit on the Exeter BDA Committee and also the Devon LDC. He is very keen to ensure that young dentists feel more connected and involved with the profession as a whole rather than just seeing it as a "9 to 5 job." Outside of dentistry, he tries to lead a very active lifestyle and enjoys windsurfing and skiing.

Harriet Powell

Harriet is in her second year as a maxfax dental core trainee in Birmingham. She has been a supporter and member of the BDA since dental school. In her role, she has experienced issues with knowledge and communication between primary and secondary care and wants to help improve this, for the benefit of both professionals and patients. She feels there is a lot of uncertainty around the future of NHS dentistry and wants to help ensure young dentists have viable and attractive career paths for the future. When not at work, she likes to be active: walking her dog, skiing, tennis, and running. She also enjoys singing and travelling.

Sami Stagnell

Sami is a Specialist in Oral Surgery and currently runs oral surgery services across the South Coast. He has worked throughout primary and secondary care as well as an Honorary Clinical Teacher and one of the first Fellows in Clinical Leadership with HEE. He is an active member of many societies, and is a returning YDC member, having served as Vice-Chair during the 2015-17 term of office. He is passionate about representing the interests of young dentists, to ensure the profession develop and improves. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his young family, cycling, Crossfit and skiing.

Patrick Stewart

Patrick is an associate dentist at a mixed practice in Aldershot. Whilst at University, he was involved with the Dental Students Society, the British Dental Students Association and the European Dental Students Association. He feels dentistry is a fast-changing field, and there is a lot of information being thrown at young dentists, which needs to be broken down to help them keep up to date and succeed in their careers. In his free time, he enjoys getting outdoors and relaxing.

George Wright

George splits his time working an associate at a practice in South Yorkshire and working as a dentolegal adviser. He is a foundation trainer and postgraduate dental tutor and recently was appointed a TPD for PLVE. He is President of the BDA's South Yorkshire Branch and he is passionate about bringing dentists together to improve the profession and to use the BDA to fight on dentists' behalf. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his children and is currently preparing for the arrival of baby number three!

Further Information

​How can I get involved?

Committees are just one way to get involved with your professional association. We encourage all young dentists to get involved and use the BDA to the max!

Another great way to make use of your membership is to join your BDA local branch or section, many now have Young Dentist Groups, and offer great opportunities for professional development, as well as networking and finding out more about how the BDA works and how you can help.

The YDC is always looking for ideas and suggestions on how the BDA can support young dentists more, if you have any comments, please get in touch.